An Ideal Life

An Ideal Life, by Teresa Thomas-Carroll

What does an “ideal life" mean to you? As the director of a business that strives to bring people closer to living their ideal lives, this question continually beckons me. To me, it means being fully satisfied by the way you live your life, having meaningful interactions with the world and the people around you, fulfilling your truest dreams, embodying your values, being mindful and appreciating the present moment. I believe that the quest for an ideal life is usually not completely achieved but a journey that should be ventured upon nevertheless. New goals and dreams naturally develop and life shifts our paths for us, too. Having an ideal life doesn’t need to mean living in a utopia, being continuously happy or having only good things happen to you. Rather, an ideal life completely embodies your personality, talents, dreams and values, especially when confronted with difficult challenges.

Consider journaling or having a discussion with a friend or your family about what it means to live an “ideal life”. You may have an illuminating discovery. Here’s a simple exercise to get you started:

What words and thoughts come to mind when you think of what it means to live an ideal life?
Taking these thoughts into consideration, what would you be like if you could live your ideal life?
Recognize the ways you are already living your life aligned with who you are and want to be.
Think of one thing that could bring you closer to living your ideal life. This might be something as small as going for a meditative walk once a week or something bigger, such as taking political action or choosing work that helps you live out your values.
Set a timeline for yourself to begin achieving your goal. How does it feel to conscientiously work toward your ideal life?

Teresa Thomas-Carroll is the director of Purple Crayon Factory. Purple Crayon Factory offers hands-on and creative workshops for reflection, goal-setting and action in pursuit of an ideal life. Ways in which Teresa is pursuing her ideal life are by arranging her work schedule to have plenty of time with her family, doing work that gives her a sense of “flow” and by making time for creative pursuits.